China's massive navy is only getting bigger, and the US is looking overseas for help keeping its warships in action

Tue, 10/24/2023 - 11:36

China aircraft carrier Fujian — Fujian, the third third aircraft carrier China has added in 10 years, at a Shanghai shipyard in June 2022.
Li Tang/VCG via Getty Images

For years, the US Navy has struggled to complete repairs of its ships on time.
Protracted delays heighten concerns about maintaining US naval presence in the Western Pacific.
To reduce workload at domestic shipyards and keep ships at sea, the US is looking for help overseas.

The rapid expansion of China's navy has heightened concerns about the availability of the US Navy's fleet, driving Washington to look abroad for help repairing warships that might otherwise face long delays at home.